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Aside from a couple of years ago, when the Florida Marlins essentially used San Antonio as a bargaining chip in their quest for a new stadium, the Alamo City hasn't had too many brushes with Major League Baseball. Not to worry as long as the Missions are in town. While Major League Baseball provides 162 games of overpriced beer, overpaid prima donnas and steroid scandals that overshadow the game, its minor league system provides affordable family fun, accessible athletes and some really interesting promotional events.

The Missions kick off the 2008 season on Thursday, April 3, against Arkansas at Wolff Stadium. But before the quest to defend their 2007 Texas League title, here are the 10 best things about being a Missions fan.
 

REASON NO. 1: TICKET PRICES
THE 210 TAKE: A family of four can usually get into a Missions game for between $25-$40 or about what one person will pay this season to have the “privilege” of watching the Houston Astros or Texas Rangers from the field box.

REASON NO. 2: DOLLAR NIGHT
THE 210 TAKE: If it's a Missions Thursday night home game, it means $1 beer, sodas, nachos and hot dogs. Blood alcohol content measurement device sold separately.

REASON NO. 3: ATHLETE ACCESSIBILITY
THE 210 TAKE: What's this, professional athletes available for autographs? Even future major league stars — still paying their minor league dues — are extremely accessible, if only because they've been humbled by riding a minor league bus and playing in cities like Midland and Tulsa.
 
REASON NO. 4: HENRY THE PUFFY TACO
THE 210 TAKE: Even in adulthood, we still dream of having our name called during a Missions game, thus granting us the right to chase the Puffy Taco around the base paths, pummeling him into submission just before reaching home plate.

REASON NO. 5: MINOR LEAGUE REHAB ASSIGNMENTS
THE 210 TAKE: The Missions are a San Diego Padres affiliate, and since we as San Antonians have no rooting interest in the Padres, it'd be in our best interest to root for San Diego stars like Jake Peavy, Mark Prior and Brian Giles to sustain injuries at some point during the 2008 season. Nothing serious, just enough to get those major-leaguers into San Antonio for a Double-A rehab assignment.

REASON NO. 6: PROMOTIONAL NIGHTS
THE 210 TAKE: What kind of organization besides a minor league baseball franchise gives away T-shirts, beach towels, bobbleheads, chicken sandwiches and used cars throughout the year? We tried coming up with a witty retort, but honestly, couldn't.

REASON NO. 7: WOLFF STADIUM, VERSION 2.0
THE 210 TAKE: The Missions took over Wolff Stadium operations before the 2007 season and proceeded to install a new scoreboard and speaker system, repaint the joint, power wash the concrete surfaces and add a party deck with patio seating down the left field line. Wolff Stadium — even with renovations — is not exactly state-of-the-art. But, hey, at least it's reclaimed some of its new-car smell.

REASON NO. 8: THE BALLAPEÑO
THE 210 TAKE: If the Puffy Taco is the storied veteran, the Ballapeño (a grown man in a jalapeño costume) is the young hotshot out to steal some of the veteran's thunder. Can't you just smell the dissension within the mascot ranks?

REASON NO. 9: UM, THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOOD
THE 210 TAKE: As if affordable tickets weren't enough to lure people out to the ballpark, Missions fans actually have a solid team to root for. With a league championship in 2007 — their 11th overall — the Missions have now claimed four of the past 11 Texas League titles.

REASON NO. 10: DOLLAR NIGHT
THE 210 TAKE: Because $1 food and beer bear repeating.

Clint Hale | 210SA